In the past year, we've helped return nearly $100,000 to Arizona readers and shown countless others how to protect themselves.

"Your hard work paid off! I am so grateful," wrote Phoenix mom Kathy Suszczewicz, who received an $850 refund after our story about her plight. Suszczewicz was forced to bathe her daughter, who has disabilities, at a friend's house for a month while her landlord, Invitation Homes, delayed bathroom repairs.

"That is what journalism is for. Cheers to you and azcentral for all you have done," she added.

We plan to help more in 2019

In 2019, we're expanding our resources.

About 20 volunteers with Call For Action, a non-profit that operates consumer hotlines across the country, will join our newsroom starting Jan. 8.

The trained volunteers will take calls and emails and work to resolve problems with businesses, government agencies and other organizations. A volunteer may be able to help you negotiate a refund, lower a medical bill, settle a dispute with a landlord or investigate a scam.

Robert Anglen is a reporter for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.(Photo: Tom Tingle/The Republic)

The service is free, confidential and available to individuals in Arizona.

With permission from consumers, investigative reporters Rebekah L. Sanders and Robert Anglen will write about noteworthy cases.

Although not all complaints can be fixed, Call For Action has a strong track record.

The organization estimates it resolves about 90 percent of cases and annually saves consumers nationwide more than $12 million in lost goods, services and refunds.

"For the past year, Rebekah, Robert and other reporters have worked hard to solve consumer problems," Kathy Tulumello, news director for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, said. "Now they will be able to help so many more Arizonans with the help of the Call for Action volunteers."

"The volunteers are great at untangling red tape and getting to the decision-makers to solve issues that can be so difficult for the average person to tackle."

"Thank you so much for helping change my life! I know you will continue to help others like me," Case wrote.

The $47,000 air ambulance bill that Dave Brunner received after his 4-year-old son was rushed to a northern Arizona hospital outstripped what he could afford on a Baptist associate pastor's salary. Then we stepped in.

"We are incredibly thankful to Rebekah Sanders and The Arizona Republic for their help in all of this," Brunner posted on Facebook. "As a result of their help, Air Methods offered us a settlement."

These are just a few of the stories we've worked on in 2018.

Got a problem? Let us know. We'll fight for you to make our community better.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/consumers/2019/01/04/got-complaint-against-business-azcentral-and-call-action-can-help-heretohelpaz-volunteers-fraud-scam/2337258002/